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Mar 01, 2005

READING IN THE SUN

BRIGHT COMPUTER DISPLAY TACKLES TOUGH ENVIRONMENTS

GLACIER Computer's new Sunlight Readable GX 1000A computer is four times as bright as traditional laptop LCD screens, so it's readable in bright sunlight. The industrial-strength computer, which is designed for permanent mounting in harsh environments, uses four backlight inverters to provide 1,350 nits of brightness. That compares with 300 nits for traditional laptops.

The GX 1000A is an 800-MHz computer with display, touch screen and multiple standard I/O ports. It is capable of running all Windows operating systems and works with numerous local and wide area wireless networks.

WORKING TOGETHER

ACCOUNTING, CROP MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE NOW INTEGRATED

RED WING Software's Perception Accounting software now has improved integration with MapShots' EASi Suite crop management software. The enhanced integration makes record keeping and decision making easier by eliminating entry duplication and streamlining inventory and field operation management. Crop input entries made in Perception are available in the EASi Suite program for tracking application to fields and for cost-of-production reports. When detailed field operations are tracked in EASi Suite, financial information about that production is automatically allocated to crops, farms and fields in Perception Accounting.

FREE FARM PLANS

NEW CATALOG OF UNIVERSITY-PRODUCED PLANS

THE FREE 2005 Midwest Plan Service (MWPS) catalog may be ordered by mail or online. The catalog has more than 160 practical publications, including 17 new titles, and CD-ROMs, plus more than 100 building plans for agricultural producers to use. Most of the MWPS materials are free or low cost.

MWPS is a publishing consortium of 12 U.S. agricultural universities and USDA. It is headquartered at Iowa State University.

DUAL-BEAM DETECTION

WIRELESS SECURITY SYSTEM IGNORES SMALL CRITTERS

THE NEW DUAL-BEAM wireless motion-detection system from Jansen Electronics monitors driveways and other critical areas without expensive wiring. Its dual beam allows the sensor to detect people and vehicles, while ignoring small animals. Movement can be detected up to 45 ft. from each sensor. The receiver can be located up to 500 ft. from the sensor. Up to 12 sensors can be integrated, with separate chime tones and an indicator light for up to four zones. A test mode allows detection to be checked at the sensor. A low-battery warning indicates when the sensor needs a new 9v battery.

QUIET ZONE

ACTIVE NOISE REDUCTION BLOCKS UNWANTED SOUND

THE QZ50 active noise reduction stereo headphone from Koss creates an invisible shield between the listener and droning sounds by stopping low-frequency noise before it reaches the ears. Tiny microphones embedded in the ear cups send incoming low-frequency noise to a tiny processor, which generates a signal that is 180∞ out of phase with the outside low frequency. The two waves counteract each other, resulting in a reduction of the low-frequency repetitive noise.

WIRELESS PIVOT CONTROL

LINDSAY'S FIELDSENTRY PROVIDES IRRIGATION CONTROL FROM AFAR

CONTROL YOUR irrigation systems through a new wireless device that works with the Internet, cell phone or personal digital assistant (PDA). Lindsay Manufacturing's new FieldSentry system features a transmitter that attaches to an irrigation pivot and then monitors it. You may dial up or call the FieldSentry system at any time to check on the pivot's progress. A FieldSentry system retails for $300, and a required service subscription is $300 per season per pivot.